Road Space Reduction

Tony Devenish: Do you have any concerns that your decisions to reduce London road space, expand the cost and scope of the Congestion Charge and introduce many more 24-hour bus lanes is damaging London and could be the death knell for many otherwise viable businesses, particularly in Central London?

The Mayor: I stand by the decisions taken since March 2020 to increase road space for sustainable modes in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Transport for London (TfL) had to act quickly to reduce the spread of the virus and protect Londoners. My Streetspace for London programme seeks to create more safe space for walking and cycling, whilst also keeping buses moving efficiently. The Government provided TfL with money to share with local authorities to ease pressure on public transport and prevent a spike in car use – and I am pleased that many of London’s boroughs have been ambitious in their plans.
The bus network plays a vital role for London with over six million passenger journeys a day prior to lockdown. If people switch even a fraction of their previous journeys to cars, the increased congestion would be damaging for both the environment and public health, and essential deliveries and emergency services will be gridlocked. In changing bus lanes to operate at all times, impacts to businesses and households have been considered, for example with loading and disabled bays retained.
With respect to the temporary changes to the scope and level of the Congestion Charge, these were brought forward in accordance with the conditions of TfL’s first emergency funding settlement with Government and are now being maintained as required by the most recent funding settlement.